Yoenis Cespedes, Kila Ka’aihue both scratched from A’s lineup

Yoenis Cespedes was originally in the A’s lineup but he was just scratched after aggravating his hand injury. Kila Ka’aihue, scheduled to play first base, was also scratched with a “lower hamstring, upper calf” injury, according to an A’s spokesman.

We don’t have much more information beyond that, but obviously it’s an unfortunate blow for the A’s, who were ready to welcome Cespedes back to the cleanup spot after a four-game absence because of a strained muscle in his left hand. Cespedes took just two rounds of batting practice before talking with hitting coach Chili Davis and heading back to the clubhouse, so it was clear that something was up. Ka’aihue has been hitting well, so his absence will be felt too.

“(Cespedes) took batting practice and was still feeling it a bit, so I wanted to be precautionary with it,” A’s manager Bob Melvin relayed through a spokesman. (We’re past the media clubhouse access period at this point).

Cespedes, addressing reporters before batting practice, was asked twice if his hand was full strength and ready to go, and he confirmed it was. “I feel so happy because I was here doing nothing. It was boring,” Cespedes said.